SAFETY: Kimura from Mount targets the Shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint, rotator cuff). Risk: Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor). Release immediately upon tap.
The Kimura from Mount represents one of the highest-percentage shoulder lock attacks in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, combining the dominant control of mount with the mechanical advantage of the double-wrist grip. This submission targets the shoulder joint through a figure-four grip configuration that isolates the opponent’s arm while leveraging superior positional control. From mount, the attacking grappler can transition seamlessly between maintaining positional dominance and applying submission pressure, creating a strategic dilemma where defensive movements often expose additional attacks. The technique’s effectiveness stems from the ability to use bodyweight, hip pressure, and precise angle creation to generate overwhelming torque on the shoulder capsule. Unlike Kimuras from other positions, the mount variation offers exceptional control over the opponent’s ability to roll or escape, making it particularly reliable in both training and competition scenarios. The submission can be finished while maintaining mount or used as a transition mechanism to take the back or establish other dominant positions.
Category: Joint Lock Type: Shoulder Lock Target Area: Shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint, rotator cuff) Starting Position: Mount From Position: Mount (Top) Success Rate: 72%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor) | High | 3-6 months with potential surgery requirement |
| Shoulder dislocation (anterior or posterior) | High | 6-12 weeks, possible surgical intervention |
| Labrum tear | High | 4-9 months with surgery |
| Bicep tendon strain or rupture | Medium | 4-8 weeks for strain, 3-6 months for rupture |
| Acromioclavicular joint separation | Medium | 6-12 weeks depending on grade |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - minimum 3-5 seconds from initial pressure to maximum torque in training
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap (saying ‘tap’ or any distress vocalization)
- Physical hand tap on opponent or mat (multiple rapid taps)
- Physical foot tap on mat or opponent
- Any audible distress signal or change in breathing pattern
- Shoulder popping or cracking sounds (immediate release)
Release Protocol:
- Immediately stop all rotational pressure on the shoulder
- Release the figure-four grip while maintaining control of the arm
- Gently guide the arm back to neutral position without sudden movements
- Allow opponent to move shoulder through safe range of motion before resuming training
- Check for pain, instability, or reduced range of motion before continuing
Training Restrictions:
- Never apply explosive or jerking motions to the shoulder
- Never use competition-speed application in training
- Always ensure training partner has clear tap access with free hand
- Stop immediately at first sign of discomfort or unusual joint sensation
- Never apply Kimura when opponent’s arm is already compromised or injured
- Avoid practicing on training partners with known shoulder injuries or hypermobility
Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 60% |
| Failure | Mount | 25% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 15% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute and finish | Escape and survive |
| Key Principles | Establish dominant mount control with heavy hip pressure bef… | Prevent wrist isolation as the first line of defense - keep … |
| Options | 6 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Establish dominant mount control with heavy hip pressure before attempting the submission
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Secure the figure-four grip with maximum distance between your hands to create leverage
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Control the opponent’s elbow position - keep it tight to their body during setup
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Create the proper angle by positioning your body perpendicular to opponent’s trapped arm
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Apply rotational pressure in a circular motion toward opponent’s head, not straight up
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Maintain mount control throughout the submission to prevent escapes or counters
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Use progressive pressure application - build torque gradually to allow safe tapping
Execution Steps
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Establish Mount Control and Isolate the Arm: From high mount, use your chest pressure and hip control to pin opponent flat. Bait or force their a…
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Feed the Wrist and Secure Figure-Four Grip: While maintaining wrist control, thread your opposite hand (left hand for right arm attack) undernea…
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Create Angle and Establish Base: Shift your hips and upper body toward the trapped arm side, creating a perpendicular angle to their …
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Lift the Elbow and Control Height: Using your figure-four grip, lift their elbow off the mat while keeping their hand pinned toward the…
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Walk Hands Toward Head: While maintaining elbow height and grip integrity, begin moving their hand in a circular arc toward …
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Finish or Transition: Continue the circular rotation until opponent taps. If they resist strongly or begin to roll, be pre…
Common Mistakes
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Releasing mount pressure while attempting the submission
- Consequence: Opponent escapes mount position, or successfully bridges and reverses position before submission can be secured
- Correction: Keep your hips heavy and low throughout the entire sequence. Your weight should constantly pressure down through your knees and hips into opponent’s torso. Never sacrifice positional control for submission speed.
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Gripping too close to opponent’s arm on the figure-four (hands too close together)
- Consequence: Insufficient leverage to generate adequate shoulder torque - submission lacks power and opponent can easily defend
- Correction: Grip your own wrist as far from opponent’s arm as possible. Maximum distance between your hands creates maximum leverage. Extend your bottom arm fully when establishing the figure-four.
-
Lifting straight up instead of rotating in circular arc toward head
- Consequence: Incorrect pressure angle fails to engage shoulder joint properly - submission feels weak and opponent can resist indefinitely
- Correction: The motion must be circular and rotational, not linear. Move their hand in an arc toward their head while maintaining elbow height. Think of stirring a large pot rather than lifting a weight.
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Prevent wrist isolation as the first line of defense - keep elbows tight to your ribs and hands near your centerline
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If the figure-four grip is established, immediately grip your own belt, pants, or clasp hands to prevent arm rotation
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Use hip movement to disrupt the attacker’s perpendicular angle rather than relying solely on arm strength
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Time defensive movements to coincide with the attacker’s weight shifts during submission setup
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Never straighten the trapped arm to escape - this creates an immediate armbar opportunity
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Integrate Kimura defense with mount escape mechanics to address both threats simultaneously
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Recognize the point of no return - if the arm is fully rotated with proper angle, tap immediately to prevent injury
Recognition Cues
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Attacker grabs your wrist with their same-side hand while in mount and begins isolating it away from your body
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Attacker threads their opposite arm underneath your elbow and begins establishing the figure-four grip configuration
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Attacker shifts their weight and hips toward one side of your body, breaking the symmetrical mount to create a perpendicular angle
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Attacker’s chest orientation changes from facing directly down onto your torso to angling toward your head on the trapped arm side
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You feel your elbow being lifted off the mat while your wrist is controlled and pinned toward your body
Escape Paths
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Bridge and roll toward the trapped arm side when attacker’s base is compromised by the perpendicular angle, aiming to land in closed guard or half guard
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Hip escape away from the trapped arm to collapse the attacker’s angle, insert knee shield, and recover to half guard or closed guard
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Grip defense (belt, pants, clasp hands) combined with systematic mount escape to transition to guard before the submission progresses further
From Which Positions?
Match Outcome
Successful execution of Kimura from Mount leads to → Game Over
All submissions in BJJ ultimately converge to the same terminal state: the match ends when your opponent taps.